Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders in sheep and goats

A systematic clinical-veterinary review of skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders in sheep and goats, according to groups of factors - with emphasis on field diagnosis and prevention:

Infectious Diseases

1. Sheep & Goat Pox

   •   Cause: Virus

   •  Signs: Nodules → Blisters → Scabs, Fever, Decreased Eating

   •  Common Location: Face, Udder, Genital Area

   •  Importance: Highly Contagious, Sometimes Fatal

   •  Prevention: Vaccination, Isolation

2. Orf (Orf – Ecthyma contagiosa)

   •   Cause: Parapoxvirus

   •   Signs: Thick, painful scabs

   •  Location: Lips, nose, udder, hooves

   •   Zoonosis – contagious to humans

3. Dermatophilus congolensis

   •  Cause: Bacteria

   •  Signs: Severe scabs, hair loss

   •  Related to: High humidity, rain, crowding

External Parasites

4. Scabies (Sarcoptes / Psoroptes)

   •   Signs: Severe itching, thickening of the skin, baldness

   •  Location: Ears, head, neck, limbs

   •  Diagnosis: Skin scraping

5. Lice / Ticks

   •  Signs: Restlessness, itching, anemia (in severe cases)

   •  Common in: Winter, weakened animals

6. Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

   •   Signs: Round, scaly patches

   •   Zoonose

   •   Common: Young people, crowding, lack of hygiene

Immune / Inflammatory Diseases

7. Pemphigus / Vasculitis (Rare)

   •  Signs: Blisters, ulcers

   •  Requires: Laboratory diagnosis (biopsy)

Metabolic / Nutritional Disorders

8. Zinc / Copper Deficiency

   •   Signs:

   •   Dry Skin

   •  Thickening of the Skin

   •   Hair Loss

   •   Growth Retardation

   •  Copper Hypersensitivity in Sheep

Subcutaneous tissues

9. Subcutaneous abscess

   •   Common cause:

     •   Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

   •   Disease: Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA)

   •  Location: Lymph nodes

   •  Significance: Chronic infectious disease

10. Subcutaneous edema

   •  Possible causes:

     •  Hypoproteinemia

     •  Internal parasites

      •  Liver disease

Environmental factors

11. Photosensitivity

   •   Signs: Skin burns in light areas

   •   Related to: Liver disease or poisonous plants

Access to field diagnosis

Location of lesion

Scabies yes/no

Age of herd

Similar lesions in the herd

Nutritional status

Seasonality

Prevention

   •   Balanced and sex-appropriate diet

   •   Regular parasite control

   •   Vaccinations by region

   •   Hygiene and low density

   •   Isolation of new animals

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.